Devotions Inspired By Beyond BlessedSample

STEWARDING A MIRACLE
by Jimmy Evans

When Gateway first began, we had one of our first presbytery services in which prophetic words would be given. I was one of the presbyters, and during a service the Lord told me to give a young lady in the congregation a word. And the word terrified me. He told me to tell her that she was a witch, her mother was a witch, and her grandmother was a witch and the Lord was going to deliver her that night. He told me to give her that word publicly. 

I was miserable. As I sat on the platform looking at her in the congregation I silently begged God not to have to give her that word. But He didn’t relent. So in the kindest manner I could, I gave her that word. She received the word with a pleasant look on her face and sat down afterward without much expression. After the service was over she approached me in the front of the auditorium, and I dreaded the encounter. 

But to my surprise she walked up to me and said: “Pastor Evans, I can’t tell you what your words tonight mean to me. You are right. I am a witch and have practiced witchcraft for many years. And my mother and grandmother are also witches—it has run in my family for generations. And the young man that was sitting next to me tonight is a Satanist and he came with me to see if there was any power in God.” 

That young lady and young man both got saved that night and were both delivered from the occult. After I heard her testimony I felt like a genius, but it had nothing to do with me at all. 

Did you know, as believers, we can do miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit? The nine gifts of the Spirit the Apostle Paul tells us about in today’s Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:4–11) are not just for a special few. They are distributed to all of us if we will believe in them and receive them. 

Operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit is stewardship. Remember, being a steward means managing something that belongs to someone else. The power to do miracles is God’s power. But the Holy Spirit gives that power to His people, so we can do the works of God in the lives of others. Through us, Jesus is still walking the streets, healing people, and setting them free. 

I encourage you to offer yourself to the Lord to be used by Him and steward the spiritual gifts He gives you. Remember, they are gifts of grace that none of us deserve but are available to us because of the goodness and mercy of God.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, I believe in You and the gifts You distribute to believers. I surrender myself to You and ask You to use me in whatever gift or gifts You desire. I know there are believers and unbelievers who are in need and suffering, and You want to use me to help them. I offer my mind, mouth, and body to You. Fill me with Your power and lead me with Your peace. Use me as a vessel of Your love and mercy in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE   
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. PSALM 37:5 (NLT)